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Completed projectI was fortunate to discover this vintage cast iron Singer treadle sewing machine base, likely dating back to the early 1900s with its beautiful ornate detailing. As with all my vintage finds, I aimed to restore it as close to its original condition as possible. Though the base was structurally sound, it was quite worn and needed careful attention. The most challenging and rewarding part was hand-painting the intricate decorative elements. Through this project, I’ve learned that using high-quality tools and materials makes all the difference. I’ve styled the finished piece with era-inspired items, and I hope you love the result.
Materials
Dy - mark metal pro grey primer spray paint.
Dy - mark metal pro black zince spray paint.
Deluxe Gold metallic spray paint
Tools
Screw driver
Paint scraper
Sand paper
Masking tape
Fine paint brush
Steps
Step 1
Pulled the wheels off.
Step 2
Clean all the dust and dirt off the product with clean water and wiped it dry.
Step 3
Removed old paint carefully with the paint scraper. It is cast iron , if anything breaks it will be a challenge to fix.
Step 4
Used sandpaper in the cracks that i couldn't get the paint scraper into.
Step 5
Put wheel back on and turned it upside down.
Step 6
Under coated with dy - mark metal pro grey primer. Waited 1hr until dry, turned project back onto its legs.
Step 7
Applied the first coat of top coat which is the dy - mark pro black zince and waited 1hr to dry. Applied 2nd coat and waited 1hr to dry.
Step 8
Hand painted with deluxe gold metallic paint the singer word and the details on the legs.
Step 9
Waited 2hrs for gold paint to dry from previous step - 8.
Then done 2nd coat of gold using the gold paint.
Step 10
Placed the smokey grey glass top onto my product. I got that off of a recycled cane coffee table.
Hello @karen_trundell
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your early 1900's upcycle singer base.
Your restoration of the Singer treadle sewing machine base is simply stunning. You've beautifully honored its early 1900s heritage, breathing new life into every ornate curve and detail. The care you took to restore the cast iron, especially the delicate hand-painting of the intricate design, shows both craftsmanship and reverence for its history. The addition of the glass top makes it a functional piece of art, allowing the original structure and gold-toned "SINGER" emblem to shine through with elegance. Styled with vintage items that echo the era, this piece is more than just a table, it’s a celebration of design, durability, and dedication. Absolutely brilliant work.
Eric
